My Trick To Stop Mindlessly Scrolling & Snacking

Ever find yourself in a loop of scrolling and snacking?

If I’m not mindful (and if I let myself get too tired) I can still find myself doing this.

And I know is not just me.

This is one of the most common ways many of us to unwind and get a break from the demands of life.

But are we really getting the satisfaction and rest we need out of this?

Most women tell me “not really”. For most of us it’s become an automatic habit we’re not even enjoying.

So how can we curb the urge to scroll and snack?

Here’s something that REALLY works. This will help you not just break the cycle of mindlessly snacking while scrolling, but it will also infuse some energy and joy into your life!

First: have a quick check-in with yourself to pin point what you really need in that moment:

·     Do you need a break or nap?

·     Do you need to feel entertained?

·     Do you need a boost of energy?

·     Do you want to be distracted for a bit?

·     Do you need to be stimulated mentally or emotionally?

·     Are you physically hungry?

I find many of us think we’re tired but we’re actually looking for something else.

Second: once you identify what you actually need in that moment, challenge yourself to try a different response to the urge to scroll. Here are a few ideas:

·     If you are actually tired, try playing a song while laying down or sitting in a relaxed position. Close your eyes, breathe and enjoy the music.

·     If you need a boost of energy, try moving your body for a few minutes: put on your favorite song and dance your heart out, roll out a mat and stretch and/or jump a few times (this really helps), go for a walk around the block (you may be surprised just how energizing this is). The trick is to keep it simple and keep it brief, otherwise it will be hard to swap scrolling on the couch for moving your body.

·     If you need that dopamine hit or stimulation, try duolingo. Last month decided to swap my evening pinterest scroll and challenge myself to spend 10 minutes actually learning something but in a fun and chilled way. I was shocked at how rewarding and entertaining it is. It’s literally like playing a game and you get the best possible dopamine hit. Genius! 

·     If you’re hungry, by all means grab a snack and take a moment to nourish yourself. You may find that you get more enjoyment out of your snack if you give your undivided attention to eating it. Try having your snack without your phone and see what happens.

Start by replacing 1 scrolling session for something else that sparks your interest and be sure to give it some time.

And if you find yourself with a new life infusing habit in your life, please share it with me, I would love to celebrate you!

Pamela